I recently had the chance to travel to Austin Texas and spend a few evenings walking around with my camera in hand. Having checked the local map I saw a large piece of land dedicated to the “State Capitol”, so obviously I needed to go check that out. I borrowed the mountain bike from the corporate apartment, slung my camera bag over my shoulder, and headed out onto the streets of Austin. It didn’t take long for me to get there, though I was a bit weary of how cyclists on the streets are regarded in this city. (For the record, the drivers I encountered were courteous enough.) The building was easy enough to spot from several blocks away, with a grand view from all the way up Congress Street.
This first shot was from the intersection before the entrance to the complex. I included this couple crossing the street to add some depth and interest to the photo and I was a little entertained at how applogetic they were for ruining my photo. I smiled and let them know that they were actually part of my photo. Seriously folks, if didn’t want you in my photo I would have waited for you to cross.
A couple crosses the street in front of the capitol building
Looking straight up through the main gates at the front of the building.
Capitol building through the front gates
There’s a foot path that leads around the sides of the main drive, and I thought the view from this perspective was quite nice.
Capitol building and front lawn
Looking up at the building from the front lot, the close angle creating a steep perspective.
I backtracked a bit down the main drive to get the front shot without the gates in view. I imagine this drive was used for cars at one point but has since been closed off.
Looking up the front drive at the capitol building
Riding around to the back of the building presented this view of the arcitechture. Being this close doesn’t make much for seeing the building but I thought the angles created from this perspective made for an almost abract style of photograph.
First view of the dome from the back
In the back of the building there is a recessed structure built several floors into the ground. From what I hear they had considered makeing a second dome in this area, but in realizing that it would block the view of the building from this approach the designed was changed to this inverted dome concept dubbed the Shark Tank.
Looking over the "shark tank"
Another full frontal shot but this time from the backside of the building. I like how the light was beginning to play in the windows as the sun started to set behind me.
The capitol building from the back
Lastly, I wanted to include one shot of the bike I rode in on. This ride was in the corporate appartment and I was thrilled to make that discovery. The term “corporate mountain bike” was a hit with my friends when we talked about it. I later found out that the CEO had bought this to ride when we stayed in town, so hopefully he doesn’t mind that I borrowed it for a bit. It beat the heck out of a “fitness center” in some hotel, that’s for sure. 
The horse I rode in on
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